Page 108 of Lies Like Love

Jude shrugs, as if that’s enough of an explanation. He’s not the least bit guilty about hurting someone for trying to brush my hair off my shoulder. I shouldn’t be surprised after I witnessed him stab a knife through someone’s hand, and nearly slit his throat, but the rage that lives in him finds ways to catch me off guard.

“Sorry about that.” Someone stops beside Jude.

Demonic images cover every inch of exposed skin that isn’t his face. Dark hair buzzed, lips ticked up in a smirk as he scans the scene with amusement.

“Blaze, this is Fel.” Jude wraps an arm around my shoulders.

Blaze?

This is his bar, and the blood splattered all around is presumably from one of his guys. Still, here he is apologizing to Jude. When he said Blaze was like an older brother, he wasn’t lying, because Jude can’t seem to do wrong here, even if he isn’t a member of their crew.

Blaze works his jaw, scanning me over but not saying hello. Protectiveness bleeds from his rigid stance as he seems to be trying to put the two of us together in his head.

Finally, his gaze cuts back to Jude. “You guys should stay for a bit. Chill. The party’s about to get started.”

Jude shakes his head, unlatching from me long enough to reach out his hand. “Thanks for the offer, man. But we’re taking off.”

Blaze slaps his palm against Jude’s and pulls him in for a half hug, saying something low enough that I can’t hear it, before pulling away.

“Nice to meet you, Fel.” Blaze finally acknowledges me, holding out his hand.

When I take it, he holds mine tight. Weighing my fate in his grip. The faintest hint of a smile finally breaking through, and I hope it means he finds me worthy of a man I’m drowning for.

“Come back some time,” Candy yells over my shoulder.

She bounces with her wave and her hair swishes at her shoulders. She reminds me of Echo—sweet and salty. Sugary and bitter. Never clear on what side you’re going to get.

Blaze lets me go, walking over to Candy, and they’re practically making out over the bar as Jude pulls me away. Mark’s in the corner with ice on his face, and he doesn’t so much as look in our direction as we pass.

I get the impression the people that come here are used to trouble, and I’m not sure what to think about the fact that Jude isn’t the least bit intimidated by it. If anything, he fits in.

Jude is quiet as he leads me to the car, holding the door open for me while I climb in. It’s getting chilly as the sun starts to dip below the horizon, and Jude must notice my shivering because he hits the button to close the roof before starting the engine.

As much as I loved the feel of the air on my skin driving here, the warmth of the heater is comforting.

We head back down the road in silence. He plants his hand on my thigh, stroking my fingers to the tune of the music. Every brush teases the inside of my leg, and each time, I have to clench my thighs.

Blood splatter paints Jude’s shirt, and he wears it like a trophy of all the sick things he’ll do in my name.

We’re almost to the highway that heads straight back to LA when Jude takes a left and goes in the opposite direction.

“Where are you going?”

“For a drive.” He squeezes my leg.

It’s getting dark, so it’s harder to read his face when he refuses to look at me. But he’s grinding his jaw and every muscle is tense.

“Did something happen back there?”

“You mean besides some douche thinking he can put his hands on you?” Jude’s glare cuts in my direction.

Even if I know he’s not happy about drunk Mark, I also know Jude’s using him as an excuse for whatever’s actually bothering him.

“I’m talking about whatever you and Blaze met about.”

His grip on my thigh tightens, but he stays quiet. His jaw works so slowly that I almost miss it. And unlike the times when Jude is tight-lipped because he’s keeping things from me, I think whatever he’s holding back right now tears him up inside.

We reach the coast and Jude pulls off the road. He stops us where the car faces the sunset and puts it in park. Tipping his head back, he closes his eyes. The weight of whatever he’s carrying fills every inch of the car.

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